Alan Johnson Calls Ed ‘Red’ by Mistake

By

Iain Martin

Nov 22, 2010 8:07 pm GMT

After Ed Miliband’s first day back at the office there’s good news and bad news for the Labour leader. First, a Guardian ICM poll shows his party pulling ahead. Julian Glover reports that it’s Labour 38% (+2 points), Tories 36% (-3 points) and the Lib Dems on 4, sorry 14 (-2).

And now for his bad news. Miliband had attempted to assert his authority over his shadow chancellor and the shadow cabinet by sending the clear signal that under him the 50p tax band would stay for ever. Alan Johnson’s comments since have been rather confusing, and it sounded to me as though he disagrees with his leader and still thinks the 50p tax band should be temporary.

The Tories have issued a press release pointing out that Alan Johnson’s interview with the BBC on Monday evening:

Questioner: ‘You do support a permanent 50 pence tax rate now then? Alan Johnson: ‘No, I have always believed what I believe…….’

Hmmmm… But then, in a slip of the tongue, he calls Ed ‘Red’. At least I think it was a slip of the tongue. I’ve seen the clip and Johnson definitely says Red rather than Ed.

“It’s [the 50p tax rate] very important for the times we live in and I think Red’s right about a clear message of fairness.”